My Personal Sewing Plan/Journal for 2023
It is that time of year again. Time to plan my sewing for the new year. Making a sewing plan will cause me to focus on the projects I really want to sew. This will be my first year for making a sewing plan/journal. In the past, I felt I didn’t need one because I have a record of most of my sewing projects on this blog. However, I like the idea of having a written plan that details the projects I intend to sew as well as shows the progress I make or fail to make. I also like the fact that I can include an actual fabric swatch in the notebook containing my plan/journal. I can’t do that on a blog!
You can see more of my thoughts on how to make a sewing plan/journal by reading an article I wrote for the Lansing Clippers blog at Sewing Plan
One of the items that I plan to make in 2023 is a spring jacket for my husband. He has a round back so that causes his jacket to pull up in the back. The only way he will get a jacket to fit is if I make him one. He may not get the perfect fit even then, but at least he will get a better fit than one off the rack. I know I need to start soon because Spring will be here in the blink of an eye. Time moves quickly when you reach my age!
My 2023 plan will also include a spring jacket for me, several short-sleeve knit tops, and two capri pants. This list will increase as the year moves forward, but these pieces will keep me busy for a while.
One thing I want to learn in 2023 is my embroidery software. I know I can do that by taking classes at Country Stitches. I was fairly comfortable with the software for a while, but then I quit using it and the knowledge I had receded to some unreachable pocket in my brain.
Another item I need to add to things to learn in 2023 is my Euphoria Cover Stitch machine. I need to use it more in order to retain what I learn about it. When I used it this morning, I had to retrain myself on how to thread it and how to finish when cover-stitching in the round.
I could also strengthen my embroidery skills by actually doing some of the things discussed in the meetings of the Lansing Clippers Neighborhood Group, the Happy Hoopers. We discuss embroidery techniques, designs, and applications, but I rarely try any of them. I hope to put some of the information I get from the Happy Hoopers into use by adding embroidery designs to tee tops and the legs of capris pants that I make.
My sewing plan/journal will be kept in a three-ring notebook. That will give me the ability to add pages as needed. I am going to start each page by entering the information into my computer. That will make it easy to make changes or add information as I go. I can simply print a new page and add to the notebook. I expect there will be some handwritten notes as well as sample swatches and pictures of finished projects. The first page of my journal will something like the following:
“Judy’s 2023 Sewing Plan
Projects
Spring jacket for husband
Spring jacket for me
Short-sleeve tee tops
Capri pants
Things to learn
Embroidery software – take some classes from Country Stitches
Focus Points
Embroidery designs on tops and pants
Use Euphoria machine to finish necklines and hems of knit tops”
The second page of my plan will be titled “Spring Jacket for My Husband”. On that page I will list the steps needed to make the jacket, i.e., buy pattern, buy fabric for jacket and lining, compare pattern measurements with husband’s, trace pattern, make muslin, fit muslin, cut jacket and lining and sew. This will be the page where I journal my experiences with sewing the jacket. Some may be good and some may be bad; but hopefully, I will be able to complete a wearable jacket for Dave. I will include a sample swatch, pattern number, and picture of finished project. And of course, I will post a picture of the completed item on this blog.
I hope this rough outline of my 2023 Sewing Plan/Journal will give you some ideas for starting one of your own. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many projects at the beginning. Start small; you can add projects as you go.
Have fun,
Judy
